A list of procedures and regulations for the import of grains is detailed in a paper from September 1999 published by the Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS). The document is available only in Hebrew.

The Standards Institution of Israel (SII) will publish in the immediate future new standards for wheat flour. The previous standard (April, 1984) will be replaced by the new standard (S.I. number 46).

N. Imports of Gelatin Made of Bovine or Other Products Containing

Gelatin

1.

Import from countries which are highly unlikely to present a BSE risk: imports of gelatin and other products containing gelatin allowed under the Israeli Food Control Services regulations.

2.

For countries who are unlikely, but a BSE risk cannot be excluded. Import of gelatin and products containing gelatin allowed. However, a veterinary certificate is required which must state the following: the origin of the gelatin is cows that were not infected by BSE.

3. Gelatin Imports, and Products that Contain Gelatin, from Countries with a Risk for BSE

but it does not exist yet or exist in several cases: Gelatin imports from these countries

are possible under the following conditions:

A.

The gelatin manufacturing plant works under a HACCP inspection system.

B.

The shipment is accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate that contains the following:



Approval that the bones, which were used as raw material are not bones of the skull, vertex, head, spine or vertebra, or a written approval that the gelatin was produced of hides of cows free of BSE.



Approval that the manufacturing process of the gelatin contains the following steps:

a.

Steam wash and fat removal,

b.

Demineralization by acids,

c.

Long treatment with Alkaline agents,

d.

Sterilization (at 138C for at least 4 seconds) or a different process that monitors the bacterial contamination level.

e.

Labeling.

4. Import from countries with BSE risk confirmed at a high level is allowed under the following conditions:

 veterinary certificate as mentioned in the previous paragraph 3/B.

 the origin of the gelatin was produced in a BSE free country.

5. No import of gelatin is allowed from Portugal and England.

O. Organic Food Products

The Israeli organic food market is valued at $50 million annually (including exports). Of the total local organic production, 80 percent ($40 million) is for export and the remainder for the local market. Recently the Israeli parliament approved an organic law (S.I. number- 1315). Official inspectors will inspect all organic food products. In addition, the local organic